Story Behind The Song

Hoi Polloi...a greek term meaning "the masses"

Song Description

a song about the global mass migration from rural areas to cities and the subsequent disillusionment and descent into poverty.

Lyrics

[verse I]
drawn together by the system
but separated all the same
bringing their dreams of freedom with them
to a faceless city with no name

[verse II]
ev'ry day the same old story
from dawn to dusk the daily grind
no chance for wealth or hope & glory
no better than what we left behind

[chorus I]
working to a clock that runs forever
living where there is no joy
labour hard no matter what the weather
that's our lot the hoi polloi
that's our lot the hoi polloi

[verse III]
oh my brothers & my sisters
in our veins the same blood runs
but our hearts foster resistance
against this life to which we've come

[verse IV]
young men dream about the future
old men dream about the past
and in between is life, the teacher
at whose mercy we are cast

[coda]
working till your fingers bleed
family at home with mouths to feed
noxious atoms everywhere
breathing in the toxic air

under rain & under sun
a servant's work is never done
in the master's hands dispensible toys
we are the hoi polloi
we are the hoi polloi